Clinical Research Directory

Accuracy of the Sensory Test Using the Laryngopharyngeal Endoscopic Esthesiometer in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This is a prospective double blinded randomized crossover controlled trial aiming at validating the measurement of laryngopharyngeal mechanosensitivity in patients with suspected OSA using a recently developed laryngopharyngeal endoscopic esthesiometer and rangefinder (LPEER). Subjects will be recruited from patients with suspected OSA referred for baseline polysomnography to a university hospital sleep laboratory. Intra- and inter-rater reliability will be evaluated using the Bland-Altman's limits of agreement plot, the intraclass correlation coefficient, and the Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient, depending on the distribution of the variables. Diagnostic accuracy will be evaluate plotting Receiver-operating-characteristic-curves (ROC-curves) using as reference standard basal polysomnogram. The sensory threshold values for patients with mild, moderate, and severe OSA, will be determined and compared using ANOVA or Kruskal Wallis test, depending on the distribution of the variables.

Prospective Study of Sensation and Satisfaction in Cancer and Transgender Mastectomy Patients

During breast surgery, sensory nerves are cut which may lead to reduced sensation and pain. Surgical reinnervation techniques have been developed with the aim of improving postoperative sensation by preserving the nerves and connecting them to the nipple and areola. The investigators aim to compare postoperative sensation and patient reported outcomes in patients undergoing reinnervation versus those not undergoing reinnervation to determine if there is a difference. The investigators will investigate this in patients undergoing gender-affirming mastectomy, implant-based breast reconstruction and autologous breast reconstruction. The investigators will use various tools that measure sensation quantitatively.

Identifying Barriers to Implementing Sensory Strategies in the Classroom Setting

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine barriers to implementing sensory strategies in the classroom setting as well as potential supports needed in teachers and paraprofessionals 18 years and older who are actively working in the classroom setting. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What are common themes that limit classroom staff from implementing sensory strategies within the classroom setting? 2. What support do classroom staff need from an occupational therapist to feel confident in implementing sensory strategies within their classroom? Participants will be asked to participate in a 17-item electronic survey via Google Forms. They will be asked to provide informed consent prior to participating.